How to Not Suck at Color - 5 color theory tips every designer should know

Summary

In this video, Greg Gunn shares five essential tips to help you make better color choices in your work. He covers the importance of color harmonies, neutral colors, and how to avoid overuse and oversaturation. Greg emphasizes the significance of contrast and balance in design, urging you to focus on the value of light and dark contrasts. Additionally, he provides a bonus tip encouraging creative freedom while maintaining consistency in color usage. By understanding these fundamentals, you can create more dynamic, cohesive designs that engage and delight the viewer.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start with color harmonies to pair colors in visually pleasing ways.
• 😀 Neutral colors act as supporting elements, allowing primary colors to stand out.
• 😀 Less is more: avoid overusing colors and saturation to keep designs clean and cohesive.
• 😀 Contrast is crucial: ensure there’s enough light and dark contrast to make your design clear.
• 😀 Use grayscale to check contrast and improve color legibility.
• 😀 Aim for balance in your colors, similar to playing an instrument with varied notes and rhythms.
• 😀 The 60-30-10 rule can help balance primary, neutral, and accent colors effectively.
• 😀 Despite color best practices, it’s important to create your own rules and be consistent.
• 😀 Use color harmonies, but adapt them based on your personal creative choices and needs.
• 😀 Color is subjective; trust your instincts, but ensure the viewer understands your approach.

Q & A

Why is working with color so difficult for many people?

Working with color is challenging because it combines both art and science. If you're not familiar with color theory or its application, it can be frustrating and confusing.

What is the importance of understanding color harmonies?

Color harmonies are scientifically-backed techniques for pairing colors in visually pleasing ways. Understanding them helps simplify the process of selecting colors and ensures cohesive and dynamic designs.

What are some common color harmony terms?

Some common color harmony terms include monochromatic, complementary, and analogous. These terms describe the relationships between colors on the color wheel.

How can color harmony tools in design apps help?

Apps like Adobe Illustrator and Procreate offer color harmony tools that allow designers to experiment with different color relationships, making it easier to find visually pleasing color pairings.

What role do neutral colors play in design?

Neutral colors act as supporting elements in design. They recede into the background, giving space for primary, bold colors to stand out. Common neutrals include blacks, whites, grays, and browns.

How does using neutral colors benefit a design?

Neutral colors provide visual relief from dominant hues and, through contrast, help make the primary colors appear more vibrant and impactful.

What is the 'less is more' approach in color usage?

The 'less is more' approach suggests using fewer colors and avoiding over-saturation. Using too many bold, vibrant colors at once can make a design feel chaotic. Starting with a limited palette helps maintain harmony and balance.

Why is contrast important when using color?

Contrast is crucial because it ensures visibility and readability. Strong contrast, especially in typography, helps make the content accessible and prevents designs from appearing flat or confusing.

What is the general rule of thumb for checking contrast?

A useful rule of thumb is to check if your design works in grayscale. If it looks good in black and white, then it will likely work well in full color. This method helps ensure there’s enough light and dark contrast.

How can you apply balance when working with color?

Balance involves using a mix of different colors, values, and saturations to create a harmonious composition. The 60-30-10 rule is a great starting point, where 60% of your design is the primary color, 30% neutrals, and 10% accent colors.

What is the significance of the 'bonus tip' in the video?

The bonus tip encourages designers to create their own color rules and be consistent in their application. While there are best practices, color usage ultimately depends on the artist’s vision, as long as it’s done consistently.